Fluorinated organic compounds



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLUORINATED ORGANIC COMPOUNDS Anthony F. Benning, Woodstown, N. .L, and Joseph Dal Park, Wilmington, DeL, assignors to Kinetic Chemicals, Inc., Wilmington, DeL, a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Original application July 4, 1945,

Serial No. 603,258. Divided and this application September 4, 1946, Serial No. 694,818

'7 Claims. (Cl. 260-653) This invention relates to a novel process of preparing highly fluorinated organic compounds and to new products obtained thereby.

It is well known that many chlorine-containing aliphatic compounds may be treated with we are able to readily and economically produce compounds of the formula ACF2 CFz) nCF3 wherein n is an integer of at least 1 and A reprevarious fluorinating agents to replace part of the Sents member o the group Consisting of chlorine by fluorine. It is also Well known that Cl and of these, e compounds. in Whleh the more chlorine atoms there are on a carbon A represents one Of H and are new chemical atom, the more easily some of them are replaced compounds having novel and unexpected al by fluorine and conversely, that it is extremely able properties. Also, those compounds in which diiiicult, if not impossible, to replace chlorine A represents F and n represents an integer of attached to a carbon containing 2 or more fiuat least 5. are new and Valuable Compounds which orine atoms. For example, when C014 is treated could not be made by y method known n the with the conventional type of fluorination catart. alyst, such as a catalyst obtained by passing HF The Compounds 0 the formula into a mixture of SbCla and SbCls until the mixture contains about 4 to 8% fluorine, the first and second fluorine atoms are readily inare normal opeh'cham comphuhds w the troduced. However, CClFs is obtained only with members A and 3 attached to the tenhmal h considerable difficulty and CF4 cannot be ob- 9 h atoms at Opposlte ends of the Cham- Llke tained at all. Likewise, in the higher homo- W158, the compounds of the formula logous series, CF; groups have not been formed A-CF2(CF2)1|CF3 P g f gf g g ffig g i g s gigzi are normal open-chain compounds with A being 2 fluorine atoms and attached to another carbond.ed germinal carbon atom bon atom, is very unreactive and cannot be re- 11mm. to our invention {10 method known placed by fluorine, employing the ordinary type to he art for replacing either A or B, in comof fluorination catalyst under the conditions orpqunds of t formula A CF2 (CF2)" C 7FZTB- dinamy employed for fiuorination. with fluorine, and the ordinary fluormatmg It is an object of our invention to provide an agents are ineffective for such purposes. Howimproved process for producing highly fluorim ever, we have found that, if such compounds are ated aliphatic compounds. Another object is to mlxed shhstahha'hy Pure sbF5 and heated provide a novel method for producing compounds in hosed Vessel at temperatures P from about of the formula A CF2 (CFZ)R CF3 wherein 175 C. to about 350 C., the chlorine atoms can u is an integer of at least 1 and A represent a be replaced by huoflnemember of the group of H, Cl and F. A further Qrdiharhy, the SbF5 e ployed will have a object is to produce novel compounds of the Purity of about 98% hlghel Wlth the P ip formula wherein n is an impurity being chlorine. In order to be actlve, integer f from 1 to 12 and A represents a the antimony in the fiuorinating agent must be ber of the group Consisting of H and C1 other 40 in pentavalent form and the agent must contain objects are to provide new compositions of matat least 223% of F by Weight The fi Should teland to advance the art. sun other objects be free of other metals, Such as iron and copper. will appear herein fte which are anti-catalytic. When the reaction The above and other objects may be accominvolves the replacement of C1 by F, the Cl replished in accordance with our invention which Places F in e fi forming fl -fiu dcs 0f comprises mixing an organic compound of the formula ACF2(CF2)nCF2-B, wherein n is an integer of at least 1, A is a member of the group consisting of H and Cl and B is a member of the group consisting of Cl and F, with substantially pure SbFs and heating the mixture in a closed vessel at temperatures of from about 175 C. to about 350 C. and preferably from 175 C. to about 250 C. until at least one of A and B is replaced by fluorine. By this process,

antimony. Accordingly, it will generally be undesirable to start the process with SbFs containing substantial amounts, greater than 10%, of SbF3 or of chlorofluorides of antimony. Accordingly, the "substantially pure SbFs contains not more than 10% of SbFs or chloro-fiuorides of antimony and not more than about 2% of other impurities.

The reaction is carried out in a closed vessel which maintains the reactants in contact for the necessary period oi heating. Also thereby, the reaction is carried out under pressure, the autogenous pressures developed at the temperatures employed.

In order to more clearly illustrate our invention, the preferred modes oi carrying the same into eflect and the advantageous results to be obtained thereby, the following examples are given in which the parts are by weight, except where otherwise specifically indicated:

EXAMPLE I About 150 parts of substantially pure SbFs was added to a nickel autoclave bomb and cooled to carbon-ice temperature. 95 parts of H(CF2)4C1 (B. P. 49-50 C) was added, the bomb tightly closed and then heated in an oil bath at 175 C. for about three hours with agitation. After completion of the heating cycle, the bomb and its time, the reaction products were vented through a valve. The eiiluent gases were scrubbed in dilute caustic solution, dried and condensed in a receiver cooled to carbon-ice temperature. About 70 parts of the reaction products, obtained in this manner, were fractionally distilled and two main fractions obtained. One fraction HiCFzliF boiled at l8 C. at 760 mm. The vapor density, measured at 28 C., was 6.76 g./l. at 741 mm. Hg pressure. Some lower boiling fractions (-40 to 18 C.) were obtained but not identified. The second fraction consisted of unchanged starting material, H(CF2)3CI.

The other compounds of the series were obtained by methods similar to Examples I to III. Characteristics of the products are summarized in Table I.

TABLE I Monosubstituted perfluoro compounds oj the Percent F Moi. Wt.

Gale. Found Cale.

gmmmmmmmm OOQOQSOOO ila 202-204 solid: MI P. 12-13%;

contents were cooled to room temperature, the bomb cap removed, and the contents poured into crushed ice. After washing free of antimony salts with dilute HCl (about 18%), the organic material was washed free of acid, dried over calcium chloride, and iractionally distilled in a laboratory precision column x 5') packed with glass helices. About 54 parts of the dried crude material yielded practically all H(CF2)4F. This material had a boiling range of 13 to 15 C. and a molecular weight of 223 as found by the vapor density method. Molecular weight, calculated for H(CF:) J, is 220.

EXAMPLE II About 1'75 parts of substantially pure SbFs were added to a nickel autoclave bomb and the bomb then cooled to carbon-ice temperature. 65 parts of H(CFz)aC1 (B. P. 143-144 C.) was then added, the bomb tightly closed and subjected to a temperature of 200 C. in an oil bath for about 10 hours. After cooling, the contents of the bomb were poured into crushed ice. The antimony salts were dissolved in dilute HCl and the organic layer recovered and added to the organic material in the crushed ice. This material was then further treated with dilute HCl, washed free of acid, dried over CaCla and iractlonally distilled. Over 90% of the material distilled over at 118- 119 0., the remaining 10% being unchanged H(CF2)aC1. The material boiling at nil-119 C. is H(CF2)aF which has a density,

EXAMPIE HI About 100 parts oi H(CF2):C1 (B. P. 21 C.) was added to about 100 parts of SbFc in a bomb cooled to about 'l0 C. The contents of the bomb were then heated at 175 C. for 10 hours, after which All the liquids disclosed in Table I have refractive indices below 1.30, the range below which is not covered in any standard refractometer 40 now on the market. Using the common atomic have diiferent chemical properties than the lower homologous compounds. This is shown by the no fact that the hydrogen in our compounds may be replaced readily by bromine upon brominating under activation with a photofiood-lamp. On the other hand, it is known that the lower homologs, such as HCFa, cannot be brominated even in sunlight (A. L. Henne, Jour. Am. Chem.

Soc., 59, 1201). Thereby, the compounds of our invention have greater utility in the synthesis of other valuable organic substances.

The diiference in reactivity of our novel compounds over the lower homologues is shown by the following Experiments 1 to 3:

EXPERIMENT l About 2.5 liters of CFBCHF: (B. P. --48 C.) was 05 placed in an evacuated 5 liter flask and 5 cc. of

water was added along with 10 gm. of bromine. The flask was irradiated with a photoflood-lamp at a distance of about 2" for 3 hours. The temperature of the contents rose to C. during the l irradiation. The bromine vapors were then destroyed with sodium bisulflte and sodium hydroxide solutions and the contents of the flask were dried and condensed in a condenser cooled with carbon-ice and acetone. About 12.5 gm. of condensate was obtained. This material had a reflux boiling point of -47 to -48 (2., showing that no appreciable amount of bromination had taken place.

EXPERIMENT 2 A sample of H(CF2):F (B. P. -17 to -18 C.) was treated in exactly the same manner as described in Experiment 1. The product had a reflux boiling point of C., and by fractional distillation a fraction boiling at 18-20" C. was isolated, corresponding to BI'(CF2)JF.

EXPERIMENT 3 A sample of H(CF2)4F (B. P. 14-15 C.) was treated in exactly the same manner as described in Experiment 1. The reflux boiling point of the product was about C., showing that considerable bromination had taken place.

The new compounds of the formula are also useful per se for various commercial purposes. They possess outstanding thermal stability and are useful as refrigerants (those boiling below C.), inert solvents, preferential extraction solvents, reaction media and heat transfer media. Since they possess a replaceable terminal hydrogen atom, they may be utilized as intermediates for dyes, surface-active agents, foam dispersers, etc., by replacement of the hydrogen by other functional groups, such as hydroxy, ether, chlorine, bromine and the like.

EXAWLE IV About 90 parts of substantially pure SbFE were added to a nickel autoclave bomb and cooled to carbon-ice temperature with protection from moisture. 72 parts of Cl(CF2)sCl (B. P. 114115 C.) were then added, the bomb tightly closed and allowed to warm up. This bomb and its contents were then subjected to heating in an oil bath with agitation for about 10 hours at 175 C. After cooling, the contents of the bomb were poured into crushed ice, washed with dilute HCl to remove antimony salts, washed free of acid and dried over calcium chloride for two days. The dried organic material, was then subjected to fractional distillation in a laboratory precision column packed with glass helices.

The following fractions were obtained:

1. Boiling range 57 to 57.7 C. (foreshot).

2. Boiling range 57.7 to 58.5 C.

3. Boiling range 58.5 to 85 C.

4. Boiling range 85 to 85.4 C.

Fraction 2 was found to be pure CeFu as shown by the vapor density at 70 C. and 760 mm. Hg which was found to be 12.25 g. per liter (mol. wt. found 345; calc. for CGFM, 338).

The molecular weight or fraction 4 was found to be 357 by the vapor density method as compared to 354.5 calculated for C1 (CFz) HF. Chlorine found was 9.3; calc. for Cl(CF2) 6F is 10.0.

EXAMPLE V of the organic material boiled at 71.3 to 71.5 C. with little or no trace of any lower boiling fractlon. The above constant boiling fraction was identified as H(CF2) 6F.

Thirty-five grams of the above H(CF2)sF was added to a previously evacuated 5-liter Pyrex flask along with about 15 cc. of water. Chlorine was admitted until the pressure was one atmosphere and the contents were subjected to heat and light from a Photofiood-lamp for about 2 to 3 hours. During this time, the flask was frequently shaken. This operation was repeated several times during which time the temperature in the flask reached a maximum of '70-80 C. The excess chlorine, remaining in the flask, was removed with bisulfite solution, the organic material removed, washed with dilute NaOH solution, then water, and dried over calcium chloride. Upon distillation, practically all of the material boiled constantly at -86 C. and was proved to be identical with the C1(CF2)6F obtained in Example IV by boiling point, vapor density, etc.

Other members of the series were obtained by the methods of Examples IV and V. Their properties are tabulated in Table II given below:

TABLE II Fluorinated derivatives of the series C'KCFZMF All the liquids among the compounds of Table II have refractive indices below 1.30 which is below the range covered in any standard refractometer.

The compounds of the formula are chemically different and react differently than the lower homologous compounds. We have found that if molar proportions of such compounds of our invention are heated with SbFs at C. in a nickel bomb for 10 hours, there is at least a 50% conversion of the compound to a completely fiuorinated com-pound of the formula CF3-(CF2)n-CF3. This experiment has been carried out successfully with representative compounds wherein n equaled l, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11, respectively. 0n the other hand, when ClCFe-CF: and ClCFa were treated in the same manner, there was little or no conversion to a completely fiuorinated compound. Therefore, our compounds are useful as intermediates in forming completely fluorinated compounds for which the lower homologs are of no value.

These new compounds of (the formula are also useful per se for a variety of commercial purposes. They possess outstanding thermal stability and are useful as heat transfer media, liquid coolants, inert reaction media, etc. They are non-toxic, non-inflammable and possess boiling ranges desirable for a variety of uses in the refrigeration and heating industry. While these com ounds are relatively stable, compared to corresponding chloro hydrocarbons, the terminal chlorine atom is sufliciently reactive to permit the compounds to be utilized as intermediates in the formation of dyes, surface-active agents, foam dispersers, etc.

EXAMPLE VI About 90 parts of substantially pure SbFs were added to an autoclave bomb (fabricated of nickel) and cooled to carbon-ice temperature in a closed system. Seventy-two parts of Cl(CF2) aCi (B. range 113 to 114 C.) were then added and the bomb tightly closed. After heating in an oil bath for 15 hours at 1'75 C.. the bomb was cooled to room temperature and its contents poured into crushed ice. The reaction products were washed with dilute hydrochloric acid to remove antimony salts. washed free of acid and dried over calcium chloride. The recovered organic material amounting to about 66 parts was then subiected to fractionation in a laboratory precision column packed with glass helices.

About 33 parts of the material distilled over at 57-58 C. and had a molecular weight of 340 by the vapor density method. The calculated molecular weight for F(CF2) SP is 338. The freezing point of this same fraction was below 74 C.,

was 1.68. The remaining 33 parts distilled over at 85-86 C. and was definitely identified a5 Cl(CF )sF. This latter fraction, upon further treatment as described above with SbFs, yielded the periiuorinated compound F(CF2)eF. The organic recovery in this case was over 98%.

EXAMPLE VII About 50 parts of substantially pure SbFs was added to an autoclave bomb similar to the one used in Example VI. The bomb was then cooled to carbon-ice temperature, 30 parts of H(CF2) 9C1 (boiling range l62-l63 C.) were added and the bomb tightly closed. After heating the bomb at 175 C. for about hours, it was cooled to room temperature and the contents poured into crushed ice. After treatment of the organic material with dilute hydrochloric acid, the product was washed free of acid and dried over Drierite," a commercial calcium sulfate drying agent, and calcium chloride. The above material was then subjected to fractionation in a laboratory precision column packed with glass helices. A small fraction distilled over at l-l28 C. which was identified as F(CF2)9F, but the main fraction came over at 139.6 to 140.6 C. (uncorr.) which was identified as H(CF2)9F. This latter material was chlorinated to Ci(CF2)9F in a known manner and fluorinated in a manner similar to that described in Example VI. The periluorinated compound thus obtained. boiled at 127 0., and had a liquid density of Other. members of the series up to Cw were similarly obtained. Their properties are tabulated in Table III.

EXAMPLE VIII About 80 parts of substantially pure SbFs were added to an autoclave bomb similar to the one used in Example VI. Thirty-five parts of (B. P. 214' C.) were then added and the bomb tightly closed. The bomb was then heated to 250 C. for about 15 hours, with agitation. After cooling to room temperature, the contents were treated with dilute hydrochloric acid. The solid organic material was dissolved in 150 cc. of 5 H(CF2)4Cl (B. P. 49-50 C.) and subsequently treated with more dilute acid, washed free of acid and dried over CaClz. The solution was then placed in a fractionating column, the solvent removed and the reaction products distilled. Two 10 compounds were isolated, F'(CF2)13F (B. P. 193-196 C.) and H(CF2)13F (B. P. 202-204 C.). each constituting about 50% of the reaction product.

TABLE III 15 Perfluorinated derivatives of the series CF.1(C'F2) nC'Fa C'ilc. Found The novel perfiuorinated compounds obtained by us are very useful compounds by virtue of their great thermal and chemical stability. These properties, coupled with their relatively high boiling points, make them liquids desirable as power fluids, heat transfer media, inert reaction media, etc. For example, the higher boiling members of our series of perfluorinated compounds are quite suitable for liquid coolants in aeroplane engines where the lower boiling members (boiling range below 50 C.) are unsuited, due to the generation of higher pressures which, in turn, require heavier and stronger cylinder blocks to withstand the greater pressures.

By our invention, we have also provided a new and economical method of producing mono substituted perfiuorinated open-chain compounds wherein the substituent is hydrogen or chlorine and is always on a terminal carbon atom. By this method of preparation, the possibility of the formation of other isomers is precluded. We are thereby enabled to produce compounds of known 5 definite structures which are useful in the production of derivatives of known definite structures. The process is particularly adaptable to the production of perfluorinated compounds which possess known definite structures and 66 which could not be obtained by any other method known to the art.

It will be understood that the examples given heretofore have been given for illustrative purposes solely and that our invention is not to be 69 limited to the specific embodiments included therein. On the other hand, many variations and modifications, which may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of our invention, will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The compounds of the formula and their preparation by pyrolyzing CHCIF: at 70 temperatures of from about 600 C. to about 1000" C. are disclosed and claimed in the application of Downing, Benning and McHarness, Ser. No. 632,116 filed November 30, 1945, as a continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 435,064 filed February 11, 1943, now Patent No. 2,387,247.

wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 12.

2. The compound of the formula ClCF2-CF2-CF3 3. The process which comprises mixing an organic compound of the formula ClCF2-( CFz) -CF2B wherein n is an integer of at least 1, and B is a member of the group consisting of Cl and F, with a fluorinating agent consisting of SbFs, notmore than of SbF: and chlorofiuorides of antimony and not more than 2% of chlorine and heating the mixture in a closed vessel at temperatures of from about 175 C. to about 350 C. until at least one Cl is replaced by fluorine.

4. The process which comprises mixing an organic compound of the formula wherein n is an integer of at least 1, with a fluorinating agent consisting of SbFs, not more than 10% of SbFa and chlorofluorides oi. antimony and not more than 2% of chlorine and heating the mixture in a closed vessel at tem-. peratures of from about 175 C. to about 250 C. until at least one C1 is replaced by fluorine.

5. The process which comprises mixing an organic compound of the formula C1CF2-(CF:) 11-02201 wherein n is an integer oi at least 1, with a 10 fluorinating agent consisting of SbFs, not more than 10% of SbF'a and chlorofluorides of antimony and not more than 2% of chlorine and heating the mixture in a closed vessel at temperatures of from about C. to about 250 C. until both C1 are replaced by fluorine.

6. The process which comprises mixing with a fiuorinating agent consisting of SbFs, not more than 10% of SbFx and chlorofluorides of antimony and not more than 2% of chlorine and heating the mixture in a closed vessel at temperatures of from about 175 C. to about 350 C. until at least one Cl is replaced by fluorine.

7. The process which comprises mixing an organic compound of the formula wherein n is an integer of at least 1, with a fiuorinating agent consisting of SbF5, not more than 10% of SbF3 and chlorofluorides of antimony and not more than 2% of chlorine and heating the mixture in a closed vessel at temperatures of from about 175 C. to about 250 C. until the Cl is replaced by fluorine.

ANTHONY F. BENNING.

JOSEPH DAL PARK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,394,581 Benning et a1 Feb. 12, 1946 2,413,696 Downing et al. Jan. 7, 1947 2,423,045 Passino et a]. June 24, 1947 2,436,357 Goehenour et a1. Feb. 17, 1948 OTHER REFERENCES Locke et al., J. Am. Chem. S0c.," vol. 56, P es 1726-1728 (1934).

Hanna and Zimmerschied, "Jour. Am. Chem. Soc.," vol. 67, pages 1235-1237 (Aug. 1945).

Home and Waalkes, J. Am. Chem. 500., vol. 67, pages 1639-4640 (Oct. 1945). 

